Sustainability has been one of the biggest talking points of the last couple of years. And for a good reason. If everyone developed more sustainable habits, the environment will be in a much better place.
If you’re already doing the usual things like recycling or using low-energy devices, you’re already on the right track. But is there more you can do to help?
This post looks at 5 ways to help you get started on a more sustainable life, but if your looking for even more things you can do to help and ways to reduce your waste, take a look at this post from Life in Full Flavour
Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons
1. Plan your meals and save food waste (and money!)
Food waste causes a lot of problems, and it’s easier than you think to avoid it. One way to help you save on food waste, while saving money, is to plan your meals better. Deciding what you’re going to eat each week will make your food shopping a little easier, and means you won’t end up buying more than you need to. Find ways to use up food and make the most of your freezer too – this will help you avoid takeaways and ready meals, making your diet healthier too.
2. Try to repair before you replace
It’s easy to give up on something as soon as it breaks. But before you go splashing out on a new washing machine or a TV, could you try to repair them first? You can get replacement parts for a broken fridge, or a heating element for the oven that will save you a lot of money compared to buying new. If they are simple repairs, you could do them yourself, but you may need to get a professional in to look at more complicated repairs.
3. Recycle for your renovations
Home renovations make your home feel more like your home, helping you create the exact look you want. But often with renovations, people strip everything back to buy completely new again. But what if you could recycle for your renovations instead? If you’re looking to refresh your kitchen, for example, could you just repaint your cabinets and wrap your worktops instead of completely replacing them? Finding some solutions to upgrade what’s already there is kinder to the environment, and your bank balance too.
4. Take a different approach to your clothing
4. Take a different approach to your clothingClothing waste is another serious issue for the environment. You can help by changing your own approach to your clothes. Instead of constantly buying into fast fashion, consider buying pieces designed to last instead. You could also save a lot of clothing by either repairing or tailoring it to make sure your items last longer.
Instead of throwing away unwanted clothes, make sure you donate or recycle them.
5. Grow your own vegetables
A fun family project that will also help you live more sustainably is to grow your own vegetables. A vegetable patch in the garden can be a lot of fun for you all, helping you grow some of the things you’ll then be able to eat. Carrots, tomatoes and lettuce make excellent foods to grow in your garden, and you can be sure that you’ll use them a lot!
Being more sustainable involves making some little changes to your lifestyle to help the planet. You can start by doing more at home and helping your kids develop some better habits for the future too.